Montagu farmers Dave and Jane Field run the new dairy focus farm

Montagu dairy farmers Dave and Jane Field own and operate the new DairyTas and Dairy Australia focus farm.

The Field farm uses a split calving system and peaked at 1400 cows milked this year, in a once-per-day milking cycle.

Their dairy business has been in a growth phase for the past two years and the Fields want to maximise home-grown feed on the property and improve work/life balance, DairyTas regional extension officer Jacki Hine said.

“The project will provide a great insight for farmers looking to adjust and improve their business,” Ms Hine said.

“Over the life of the project regular updates will also be provided to track data and progress,” she said.

Dairy Australia has established a network of focus farms around Australia to support farmer decision making, with an emphasis on tracking real decisions on real farms under real conditions.

A support group of farmers, led by Basil Doonan from Macquarie Franklin, will meet bimonthly to discuss the Field’s decisions and benefits for the business.

Up to six open days will be held throughout the project, giving Tasmanian dairy farmers the opportunity to see the Field’s progress and understand the rationale behind decisions and outcomes.